"What that will look and feel like," Davis told AL.com, "is some reduced median crossovers and synchronized traffic signals. What we hope motorists notice most is that they get through that area pretty quick."

According to the contract, Benesch will recommend traffic signal phasing and timing changes along the 1.6-mile stretch of Parkway between Meadowbrook and Hobbs Road, conduct computer simulations to show how those changes would affect traffic at peak hours, and present the findings to ALDOT officials in Montgomery.

With the University Drive widening, Davis said the city needs help figuring out how to "keep the corridor intact from a retail standpoint" during construction. Benesch will also recommend median crossovers that could be eliminated to improve traffic flow, he said.